Sixty-one thousand signatures, but is that sufficient to urge US President Barack Obama to make the release of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim from prison a top priority for US policy toward Malaysia?

Some critics may say that although the numbers will not matter for the US president, but the truth is that since the online petition was started about a month ago by former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott, the numbers will be used as a barometer to gauge both local and international support for Anwar.

There are just another three days before the March 12 deadline for the open petition to accumulate the target of 100,000 signatures. Currently, it registers a total of 61,829 signatures, while the other online petition urging Obama not to interfere in Malaysian politics has overtaken Malott’s petition by about 3,000 signatures, recording 64,993 signatures.

It will be interesting to see, this being the last leg before the closure of the deadline, whether the online petition will be able to garner enough support calling on Obama to raise the issue with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

It would require almost a miracle for the online petition to hit another 38,190 signatures within the next 48 hours, unless every participant in the Kita Lawan rally last Saturday is able to get ten others within their offices or circle of influence to sign the petition.

The clarion call is clear. Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah had said that her family will explore all avenues to seek their father’s release, clearly a victim of political conspiracy.

With the online petition hitting 100,000 or more by March 12, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be able to show to the Agong that Anwar does not only receive support from Pakatan supporters, but his friends worldwide.

It will also carry a strong message to the ruling party that support for Anwar is not waning off; instead, with each initiative, the call for Anwar’s release gets louder. Five minutes of every Malaysian will be able to make a difference for Anwar and his family, as well as for a better Malaysia.

Once the 100,000 mark is breached, it will also expose the hypocrisy of Obama, if he chose or gave excuse not to intervene. Therefore, while all efforts are focused on the street demonstration, the online petition is another democratic  tool that cannot be underestimated.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.